Quick change indicia for patterns and the like

ABSTRACT

A quick change indicia display for patterns and the like having a base plate whose top surface is stepped down at one end, and which has a longitudinally extending keyway proceeding therefrom towards the opposite end. The sidewalls of the keyway adjacent the stepped down portion are parallel, and the indicia are formed on the top surface of indicia plates adapted to overlie the entire width of the base plate. The indicia plates have projections on the bottom thereof which extend down into the keyway and which have a longitudinal extent that is a fraction of that of the indicia plate; so that the indicia plate can be slid to a position overlying the parallel sidewall portion of the groove in the base plate and removed. The combined assembly above described is recessed into a pattern or the like, so that the indicia carried by the indicia plate will become an imprint in the molds produced therefrom.

finite States Patent 1 [111 $734M Rusk et al. 51 May 22, 1973 [54] QUICK CHANGE INDICIA FOR Primary Examiner-Robert L. Spicer, Jr.

PATTERNS AND THE LIKE [75] Inventors: Gerald R. Rusk; Robert E. Koch,

both of Toledo, Ohio [73] Assignee: The Freeman Supply Company,

Toledo, Ohio [22] Filed: Apr. 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 138,715

[52] 11.8. C1. ..249/103, 164/229, 264/132 [51] Int. Cl.....B4lb 11/52, B41b1l/58,B41bl1/60 [58] Field of Search ..249/103, 158; 164/229; 264/132; 40/1, 63 R, 68.6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 91,426 6/1869 Fanning ..249/103 1,371,680 4/1921 l-liltz ..249/103 X Attorney-William P. Hickey [57] ABSTRACT A quick change indicia display for patterns and the like having a base plate whose top surface is stepped down at one end, and which has a longitudinally extending keyway proceeding therefrom towards the opposite end. The sidewalls of the keyway adjacent the stepped down portion are parallel, and the indicia are formed on the top surface of indicia plates adapted to overlie the entire width of the base plate. The indicia plates have projections on the bottom thereof which extend down into the keyway and which have a longitudinal extent that is a fraction of that of the indicia plate; so that the indicia plate can be slid to a position overlying the parallel sidewall portion of the groove in the base plate and removed. The combined assembly above described is recessed into a pattern or the like, so that the indicia carried by the indicia plate will become an imprint in the molds produced therefrom.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures QUICK CHANGE INDICIA FOR PATTERNS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ferris and nonferris castings are usually made from molds having a reverse image of the finished part that is to be produced. In the usual molding process, a pattern usually made of wood or a machineable metal, is produced; and a refractory material, usually a sand that contains a small amount of binder, is packed around half sections of the pattern. The half sections of the mold so produced are separated from the pattern sections, and reassembled to form the mold into which the molten metal is poured to produce the cast article.

The casting process requires the careful control of many variables, any one of which if not performed properly may produce faulty cast articles that are porous or defective in one respect or another. These defects cannot be detected for some time after the articles are cast, and in no event until after the metal has solidified and the mold striped from the cast article. The removal of the cast article from the molds does not usually take place until well subsequent to the shift during which the article was cast. It is highly desirable, therefore, to be able to quickly determine what shift produced the cast article, so that if a defect is discovered in any casting, the remainder of the castings produced during the same shift can be quickly set aside and carefully examined.

Prior to the present invention there has not been a quick change indicia display device which can be affixed to small and intermediate size patterns that do not have extensive flat areas. The prior art quick change indicia displays have been considerably larger than the indicia displayed; so that for small and intermediate size patterns it has been necessary to affix indicia to the patterns and the like by means of solder.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved quick change indicia display device which can be used on any pattern and the like wherein solder-type indicia must now be used.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved quick change indicia display device which can be used on arcuate surfaces of patterns and the like where it is not practical to now provide solder-type indicia.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of several preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the 'quick change indicia display device of the present invention as installed on a pattern;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the parts shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the base plate seen in FIGS. 1 & 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the indicia plate shown in FIGS. 1 & 2;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of another embodiment of the invention which forms part of a pattern radius; and

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention which forms part of a cylindrical pattern surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings generally comprises a base plate 10 and at least one indicia plate 12. One end of the top surface of the base plate 10 is stepped down as at 14, and the top surface has a longitudinally extending groove 16 extending from the stepped down portion 14 towards the opposite end of the base plate 10. The groove 16 has parallel sidewalls 18 adjacent the stepped down portion 14, and the portion of the sidewalls of the groove 16 on the opposite side of the parallel sidewalls 18 from the stepped down portion 14 are undercut to provide keying surfaces 20. The portions of the top surface of the base plate 10 on opposite sides of the groove 16 provide bearing surfaces 22 for receiving the indicia plate 12, as will now be described.

The indicia plate 12 is a generally flat plate having a bottom surface 24 that is provided with a depending projection 26 adapted to fit into the groove 16. The projection 26 is provided with opposite side edges 28 which are undercut to provide a keying action with respect to the undercut side edges 20 of the groove 16. The depending projecting 26 has a longitudinal dimension, relative to the groove 16, that is a fraction of that of the indicia plate 24, and is so positioned as to be opposite the parallel sidewalls 18 of the base plate when the opposite side edge 30 of the indicia plate overlies the end of the stepped down portion 14 of the base plate 10. The portions of the bottom 24 of the indicia plate 12 outwardly of the undercut edges 28 of the bottom projection 26 constitute abutment surfaces 34 for engaging the abutment surfaces 22 of the base plate 10. The indicia plate 12, of course, carries indicia 36 on its top surface, and the indicia may be either raised surfaces, or grooves, and will usually be numbers or letters.

The base plate 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as being placed in a recess 38 in a pattern 40, which recess 38 corresponds in size to the base plate. The recess 38 will usually have a depth that is at least equal to the combined thickness of the base plate 10 and the indicia plate 12, when their abutment surfaces 22 and 34 are in engagement. The indicia plate is capable of being installed and removed while the base plate 10 is installed in the bottom of the groove 38. The indicia plate 12 is positioned longitudinally of the base plate so that its projection 26 is between the parallel sidewalls l8 and is then moved vertically. The indicia plate 12 is preferably made of a magnetic steel and the base plate 10 is made of a nonmagnetic material such as brass or stainless steel, so that the indicia plate can be removed from the base plate 10 with a magnet. The indicia plate 12 is installed by lowering its projection 26 downwardly between the parallel sidewalls 18, preferably with a magnet, and sliding it endwise to bring the edge 40 of the projection into engagement with the end 42 of the groove 16. The bearing surfaces 22 have a length that is an even multiple of the longitudinal width of the indicia plate 12, so that the edge 30 of the last indicia plate installed overlies the beginning edge of the stepped down portion 14 of the base plate 10. The indicia plate, or plates as the case may be, are locked in place by a keeper plate 44 having a shape which exactly corresponds with the stepped down portion 14, and a thickness equal to that of the stepped down portion 14 plus the thickness of the indicia plate 12. The keeper plate may be held in position by any suitable means, and as shown in the drawing, is retained by a machine screw 46 which extends through aligned holes 48 and 50 in the keeper plate 44 and base plate 10 respectfully, and which is threaded into a hole, not shown, in the pattern body.

The present invention is uniquely adapted for use in the rounded corners of patterns as is shown in FIG. 5. Those portions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 which are similar to portions of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 are designated by a like reference numeral characterized further in that a suffix a is affixed thereto. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the base plate a is made planar, as is the depending projection 26a, and abutment surfaces 34a. Because the indicia plate 120 extends over the full width of the base plate, only the top surface of the indicia plate 12a need by arcuately shaped.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is somewhat similar to that shown in FIGS. l-4, but differs in that the abutment surfaces of the base plate and indicia plate are circumferentially extending portions of a surface of revolution. Those portions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 which are similar to portions shown in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 are designated by a like reference numeral characterized further in that a suffix b is affixed thereto. Because the length of the keying surfaces 28b is short, the projection need not be arcuate. The base plate 10b and the indicia plate 12b can therefore be made flat and bent, so that the abutment surfaces 22b and 34b are of the same radius, and the projection 26!; is thereafter attached to the bottom of the indicia plate 12b to inexpensively complete the assembly.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail, we do not wish to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, and it is our intention to cover hereby all novel adaptations, modifications and arrangements thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

We claim:.

1. An indicia display for patterns and the like comprising: a longitudinally extending base plate having a stepped down top surface portion of predetermined longitudinal extent across one end, the portion of said top surface adjacent said stepped down portion forming a bearing surface, said bearing surface having a longitudinally extending groove therein communicating with said stepped down portion, the portion of said groove adjacent said stepped down portion having generally parallel sidewalls and the portion of said groove on the opposite side of said parallel sidewall portion from said stepped down portion having undercut sidewalls, an indicia plate having a bottom bearing surface for abutment with said top bearing surface of said base plate, and a projection on said bottom surface of said indicia plate having opposite side surfaces forming 'a sliding fit with said undercut sidewalls of said groove in said base plate, said indicia plate being installed'and locked upon said top surface of said base plate by in serting said projection of said indicia plate down between said parallel sidewall portion of said groove until the bearing surface of said indicia plate rests on said top surface of said base plate followed by lateral moveportion of said groove and by a keeper plate secured in said stepped down portion of said base plate.

2. The indicia display of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal distance between one side edge of said projection on said indicia plate and the opposite side edge of said indicia plate is no greater than the spacing of said undercut sidewalls of said groove in said base plate from the edge of said base plate at said stepped down end.

3. The indicia display of claim 1 wherein said indicia plate extends laterally over the full width of said base plate, and wherein said bearing surfaces are part of a surface of revolution with the longitudinal direction of said bearing surfaces extending circumferentially, and whereby said indicia plate is installed and removed from the base plate by sliding the indicia plate circumferentially of said base plate.

4. The indicia display of claim 1 wherein said indicia plate extends laterally over the full width of said base plate, and wherein said bearing surfaces are planar and the top surface of said indicia plate is arcuately shaped transversely to the longitudinal extent of the display, and whereby said indicia plate is installed and removed from the base plate by sliding the indicia plate longitudinally of said base plate.

5. A pattern and the like comprising: a body having a surface with a longitudinally extending recess of rectangular cross section therein, a longitudinally extending planar base plate in said recess, said base plate having a stepped down top surface portion of predetermined longitudinal extent across one end, the portion of said top surface adjacent said stepped down portion forming a flat bearing surface, said bearing surface having a longitudinally extending groove therein communieating with said stepped down portion having generally parallel sidewalls and the portion of said groove on the opposite side of said parallel sidewall portion from said stepped down portion having undercut sidewalls, an indicia plate having a flat bottom bearing surface for abutment with said top bearing surface of said base plate, a projection on said bottom surface of said indicia plate having opposite side surfaces forming a sliding fit with said undercut sidewalls of said groove in said base plate, said recess in said body having a depth generally equal to the combined thickness of said base plate and indicia plate when their bearing surfaces are in engagement, said indicia plate being installed on said base plate in said recess and locked upon said top surface of said base plate by inserting said projection of said indicia plate down between said parallel sidewall portion of said groove until the bearing surface of said indicia plate rests on said top surface of said base plate followed by lateral movement of said indicia plate over said undercut sidewall portion of said groove and by a keeper plate secured in said stepped down portion of said base plate.

6. The assembly of claim 5 including a keeper plate over said stepped down surface of said base plate and filling the portion of said recess in said body between its side edges and said indicia plate with the top surface of said keeper plate being generally level with the top surface of said indicia plate.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said indicia plate extends laterally over the full width of said base plate, and wherein said body has a longitudinally extending rounded edge having a portion removed to provide said shaped surface with said recess extending circumferentially thereof, and with the top surface of said indicia plate and keeper being cylindrically shaped and being flush with the surface of said body. 

1. An indicia display for patterns and the like comprising: a longitudinally extending base plate having a stepped down top surface portion of predetermined longitudinal extent across one end, the portion of said top surface adjacent said stepped down portion forming a bearing surface, said bearing surface having a longitudinally extending groove therein communicating with said stepped down portion, the portion of said groove adjacent said stepped down portion having generally parallel sidewalls and the portion of said groove on the opposite side of said parallel sidewall portion from said stepped down portion having undercut sidewalls, an indicia plate having a bottom bearing surface for abutment with said top bearing surface of said base plate, and a projection on said bottom surface of said indicia plate having opposite side surfaces forming a sliding fit with said undercut sidewalls of said groove in said base plate, said indicia plate being installed and locked upon said top surface of said base plate by inserting said projection of said indicia plate down between said parallel sidewall portion of said groove until the bearing surface of said indicia plate rests on said top surface of said base plate followed by lateral movement of said indicia plate over said undercut sidewall portion of said groove and by a keeper plate secured in said stepped down portion of said base plate.
 2. The indicia display of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal distance between one side edge of said projection on said indicia plate and the opposite side edge of said indicia plate is no greater than the spacing of said undercut sidewalls of said groove in said base plate from the edge of said base plate at said sTepped down end.
 3. The indicia display of claim 1 wherein said indicia plate extends laterally over the full width of said base plate, and wherein said bearing surfaces are part of a surface of revolution with the longitudinal direction of said bearing surfaces extending circumferentially, and whereby said indicia plate is installed and removed from the base plate by sliding the indicia plate circumferentially of said base plate.
 4. The indicia display of claim 1 wherein said indicia plate extends laterally over the full width of said base plate, and wherein said bearing surfaces are planar and the top surface of said indicia plate is arcuately shaped transversely to the longitudinal extent of the display, and whereby said indicia plate is installed and removed from the base plate by sliding the indicia plate longitudinally of said base plate.
 5. A pattern and the like comprising: a body having a surface with a longitudinally extending recess of rectangular cross section therein, a longitudinally extending planar base plate in said recess, said base plate having a stepped down top surface portion of predetermined longitudinal extent across one end, the portion of said top surface adjacent said stepped down portion forming a flat bearing surface, said bearing surface having a longitudinally extending groove therein communicating with said stepped down portion having generally parallel sidewalls and the portion of said groove on the opposite side of said parallel sidewall portion from said stepped down portion having undercut sidewalls, an indicia plate having a flat bottom bearing surface for abutment with said top bearing surface of said base plate, a projection on said bottom surface of said indicia plate having opposite side surfaces forming a sliding fit with said undercut sidewalls of said groove in said base plate, said recess in said body having a depth generally equal to the combined thickness of said base plate and indicia plate when their bearing surfaces are in engagement, said indicia plate being installed on said base plate in said recess and locked upon said top surface of said base plate by inserting said projection of said indicia plate down between said parallel sidewall portion of said groove until the bearing surface of said indicia plate rests on said top surface of said base plate followed by lateral movement of said indicia plate over said undercut sidewall portion of said groove and by a keeper plate secured in said stepped down portion of said base plate.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 including a keeper plate over said stepped down surface of said base plate and filling the portion of said recess in said body between its side edges and said indicia plate with the top surface of said keeper plate being generally level with the top surface of said indicia plate.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said indicia plate extends laterally over the full width of said base plate, and wherein said body has a longitudinally extending rounded edge having a portion removed to provide said recess, and the top surface of said indicia plate and keeper plate being rounded to be flush with said rounded edge of said body.
 8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said indicia plate extends laterally over the full width of said base plate, and wherein said body has a generally cylindrically shaped surface with said recess extending circumferentially thereof, and with the top surface of said indicia plate and keeper being cylindrically shaped and being flush with the surface of said body. 